Pluto TV Review
Pluto TV is a free streaming service backed by Paramount that offers a traditional cable-like channel surfing experience. The service offers hundreds of free round-the-clock channels, including classics like “Star Trek,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “The Price is Right.”
Rather than attempting to carry expensive local broadcast affiliates or high-profile live sports leagues, the lineup leans heavily into curated thematic programming. You will find dedicated channels cycling non-stop episodes of many classic TV shows, alongside niche feeds for anime, true crime, classic sitcoms, and live headline news loops from outlets like CBS News. Alongside the live grid, there is also a hefty on-demand vault filled with older Hollywood catalog films, cult classics, and complete archived series.
Because Pluto TV mirrors linear broadcast television, you cannot pause or fast-forward through commercial breaks, nor is there a cloud DVR feature to record airings for later viewing. That said, it’s a great alternative for those looking for a wide range of channels without subscription fees.
Review
We tested Pluto TV and other subscription streaming services for more than 100 hours. Pluto TV is compatible with Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV 4K, Google Chromecast, Roku, Android TV, iPhone/iPad, Android Phone/Tablet, Mac, Windows, PlayStation, LG Smart TV, Samsung Smart TV, Sony Smart TV, and VIZIO Smart TV.
Content
TV Shows
On demand TV shows are essentially the same offered on Paramount-owned linear channels. If it aired on CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, or BET, there’s a chance you’ll find reruns on Pluto TV. You’ll see a lot of older shows like “The Nanny,” “Party of Five,” “Deal or No Deal,” “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Becker,” “Melrose Place,” “MacGyver,” and “Three’s Company.”
There’s also a ton of reality programming on demand, like “Survivor,” “Bridezillas,” “Four Weddings,” “Kitchen Nightmares,” “I Love New York,” “Fear Factor,” and “American Pickers.”
You’ll be able to watch some local news from CBS affiliates in markets like New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.
Movies
Pluto TV features movies from major studios that are available on demand or on their linear streaming channels.
While there is a fair amount of B-movie dreck, there are some gems available. As of this writing, Pluto TV offers on demand aces like “Titanic,” “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “A League of Their Own,” “Anchorman,” and “Footloose.”
The service has dedicated live-streaming channels for action, comedy, drama, romance, documentary, westerns, and horror movies.
Kids
Pluto TV does have a decent selection of family movies and shows. Popular movies include “The Secret of NIMH,” “The Black Stallion,” “Ernest Goes to School,” and “A Turtle’s Tale.”
Cartoons include “Garfield Specials,” “Super Wings,” “Street Sharks,” and “Bananas in Pyjamas.”
Compatible Devices
Pluto TV is compatible with these devices:
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV 4K
- Google Chromecast (Google Cast)
- Roku
- Android TV
- iPhone/iPad
- Android Phone/Tablet
- Mac
- Windows
- PlayStation
- LG Smart TV (AirPlay)
- Samsung Smart TV
- Sony Smart TV
- VIZIO Smart TV
Pluto TV is not compatible with Xbox, Nintendo, or onn devices.
Channels
Pluto TV is great for fans of retro TV. Here are some shows that have their own dedicated 24/7 channels:
- “Beverly Hills 90210”
- “Nashville”
- “Baywatch”
- “Degrassi: The Next Generation”
- “Star Trek: The Next Generation”
- “The Dr. Oz Show”
- “The Price is Right”
- “Hell’s Kitchen”
- “Survivor”
- “The Amazing Race”
- “Wings”
- “Mystery Science Theater 3000”
- “Happy Days”
- “Family Ties”
- “Dr. Who”
Other channels rotate around a specific theme. TV Land Sitcoms shows a selection of classic comedies, MTV Dating rotates through reruns of all that channel’s dating shows, and Nosey shows daytime tabloid TV.
Local Channels
Pluto TV offers limited local coverage in the form of its CBSN channels. It has a channel for 10 different regions:
- Bay Area
- Boston
- Chicago
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Denver
- Los Angeles
- Minnesota
- New York
- Philadelphia
- Pittsburgh
Top Cable Channels
Pluto TV does offer some variations of top cable channels, but they’re often watered-down versions of the real thing. Its CNN channel offers a few headlines, but not as much coverage as the real thing. Stations like Sky News, Bloomberg Television, and NBC News Now are as close as you’ll come to the feel of a traditional live cable channel.
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A&E -
AMC -
BET -
Bravo -
Cartoon Network -
CNN -
Comedy Central -
Discovery -
Disney Channel -
Disney Junior -
E! -
ESPN -
Food Network -
Fox News -
Freeform -
FX -
FXX -
Hallmark Channel -
HGTV -
The History Channel -
Investigation Discovery -
Lifetime -
MS NOW -
MTV -
Nickelodeon -
Paramount Network -
SYFY -
TBS -
TLC -
TNT -
Travel Channel -
truTV -
USA Network -
VH1 -
WE tv
Sports Channels
Pluto TV does have several sports channels, but they are mostly filled with recaps or documentaries. There are dedicated channels for MLB, NFL, PGA, and MLS.
College Sports
There are channels dedicated to the PAC 12 and Big Sky conferences.
Other Sports Channels
Pluto TV has a lot of channels dedicated to fighting sports like boxing or MMA. It does televise live Bellator MMA matches.
Tech Specs
Stereo Sound
Content has stereo audio.
